Tea Research Research Articles

Analisis Penyerapan Anggaran Serta Implikasinya Terhadap Kinerja Manajerial

This study examines budget absorption and its implications for managerial performance, focusing on the case of the Tea and Cinchona Research Center (PPTK) Gambung, Bandung Regency, West Java. The research was motivated by the issue of low budget absorption at PPTK, which has impacted operational efficiency and managerial performance outcomes. The independent variables analyzed include sales volume, labor, and raw material costs. Budget absorption is an intervening variable, while managerial performance is the dependent variable. The study employed a quantitative method with descriptive and verificative approaches. Primary data were collected through questionnaires distributed to PPTK managers, and secondary data were obtained from financial and budget reports from 2018 to 2022. Statistical analysis was applied to assess the relationships among the variables. The findings reveal that sales volume, labor, and raw material costs significantly influence budget absorption. Additionally, effective budget absorption positively affects managerial performance. However, challenges such as declining budget absorption percentages and sales volumes in the last two years were identified, indicating room for improvement in budget management. This research recommends adopting more realistic and efficient budget planning, optimizing production processes, and enhancing monitoring mechanisms to improve budget utilization. These measures are expected to strengthen managerial performance and support the organization’s sustainability.

Optimizing biofertilizer application and fertilizing technique for enhanced tea plant growth and flavonoid composition after drought season

Now a days, drought has become a prevalent issue in tea cultivation, especially in West Java, the largest tea-producing province in Indonesia. It is considered one of the primary limiting factors that adversely affect both tea yield and quality. Biofertilizer fertilization with different fertilization techniques is an alternative to supply more optimal tea nutrient needs, after the dry season. The objective of this study was to optimize biofertilizer application and fertilization techniques to improve tea plant growth and flavonoid composition after the dry season The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Tea and Cinchona Research Center, Gambung, Ciwidey from April 2024 until August 2024. The experimental design used was a randomized group design including A = Control; B=15 L/ha Biofertilizer sprayed to leaves; C=22.5 L/ha Biofertilizer sprayed to leaves; D=30 L/ha Biofertilizer with application technique sprayed to leaves; E =15 L/ha biofertilizer watered to soil; G=22.5 L/ha Biofertilizer watered to soil I=30 L/ha Biofertilizer watered to soil. The result showed that applying a combination of biofertilizer and fertilizer application technique influences root starch content and fresh shoot weight of tea. An amount of 22.5 L/ha biofertilizer with the application technique watered into the soil gave the best results on tea flavonoid levels in pecco to dormant shoots ratio, the treatment of biofertilizer and fertilizer application techniques still showed starch levels below the standard.

Profiling of Potential Anti-Diabetic Active Compounds in White Tea: An Integrated Study of Polyphenol-Targeted Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Computer Simulation.

Diabetes remains a critical global public health challenge, posing a growing threat to human health and well-being. White tea is a lightly fermented tea and one of the six traditional tea categories in China. Owing to its rich content of bioactive compounds such as catechins and alkaloids, it has demonstrated potential anti-diabetic properties. However, its precise bioactive components, mechanisms of action, and relevant molecular targets require further investigation. In this study, an integrated approach combining polyphenol-targeted metabolomics, in vitro antioxidant assays, α-glucosidase inhibition tests, network pharmacology analysis, GEO database exploration, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was employed to identify the potential anti-diabetic compounds, targets, and mechanisms of white tea. The findings revealed that white tea is particularly abundant in 10 bioactive compounds, including epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, and catechin, all of which exhibit significant anti-diabetic potential. These compounds were found to exert their effects by interacting with core molecular targets, namely cathepsin V (CTSV) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1), and engaging in pathways related to signal transduction, apoptosis, and immune responses. This study establishes a strong theoretical basis for advancing white tea research and underscores new opportunities for applying natural products in diabetes therapy.

Effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid on alleviation of drought stress of immature tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants

Abstract Application of salicylic acid (SA) leads to positive impacts in improving the physiological and growth parameters under drought in other crops. Knowledge on SA regulation on tea is scanty but important especially under drought. Therefore, potential of minimizing the drought effects on tea via exogenous application of SA was studied in a glasshouse at the Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle, Sri Lanka, using one-year-old potted tea cultivars of known drought tolerance (TRI 2025 – tolerant and TRI 2023 – susceptible). Plants were exposed to a drying cycle while they were foliar sprayed with SA in various concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) along with well-watered and no-spray treatments. Data were collected at 18 hours and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after applying the treatments from randomly selected plants. Physiological parameters were measured along with soil moisture content. Drought stress led to declining of gas exchange parameters (rate of net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance), leaf relative water content and increasing accumulation of osmolytes (total soluble sugar and proline) in both tea cultivars compared with well-watered plants. Exogenous application of 150 and 200 ppm SA significantly improved physiological parameters. These results revealed the role of exogenous application of 150 and 200 ppm SA in diminishing the negative effects of drought on tea plants. Exogenous application of SA 150 ppm will therefore be more effective in alleviating the drought impact on immature tea when considering the environmental impact and cost effectiveness.

Allometric Models for Estimating Above-Ground, Below-Ground and Total Biomass of Tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em> (L.) O. Kuntze) Plants Grown in Uva and Up Country, Sri Lanka

This study was conducted to identify the dendrometric variables highly correlating with above-ground (AGB), below-ground (BGB) and total (TB) biomass of tea grown in Uva and Up Country Sri Lanka, develop allometric models to estimate AGB, BGB and TB of tea plants, and to investigate the applicability of already developed allometric models in other countries to Sri Lanka. Twelve experimental plots from TRIORCON field experiment at Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, and 18 farmer fields in Uva region, Sri Lanka were selected as the study sites. Representative tea plants were uprooted from the selected sites and seven dendrometric variables were measured. Fresh and dry AGB and BGB of the tea plants were determined. The best allometric models to predict AGB, BGB and TB using dendrometric variables were developed using multiple linear and non-linear regression analyses. Non-linear allometric models fitted best when predicting AGB and TB. Over 64% of total variability of AGB and TB was explained by these models using collar diameter at the soil level. Linear allometric fitted best when predicting BGB. Over 92% of total variability of BGB was explained by linear regression models using collar circumference, main-stem circumference, mean length and circumference at end of the primary branches. Leave-one-out cross validation showed strong positive (AGB and TB) and moderate positive (BGB) correlations between observed and predicted biomass values. Developed linear allometric models in comparison to those in literature showed better fit to data collected under Sri Lankan conditions and precisely estimated AGB, BGB and TB.

Climate Variability and the Resilience of Smallholder Tea Production in the East Usambara Mountain Farming System, Tanzania

The complexities of climate change are well-known, and it has immediate and long-term consequences on the environment and natural resources. This global concern adversely affects sustainable development sectors and economic systems including the agricultural sector. The tea sector is among the largest export crops contributing to earnings and revenues. Its production has been declining, and the reasons behind this decline remain unclear. This study proposed to explore the influences of climate variability on the current productivity trend of smallholder tea farmers in Tanzania. The study involves quantitative data analysis, collected from 1990 to 2020 including monthly precipitation, temperature statistics, and Greenleaf production gathered as secondary data from the Tea Research Institute of Tanzania and the Tea Board of Tanzania. The study found that rainfall and temperature change significantly influence smallholder farmers' tea production in the East Usambara Mountains. The optimal climate elements (temperature and precipitation) positively improve smallholder farmers' tea production. In contrast, extreme climate variability triggers negative effects on tea production when precautions and adaptation measures are not considered. To summarize, it is recommended that farmers engage in different programs and training sessions to enhance their perception and adaptability to climate change.

Growth improvement of immature quinine by applying coffee husk compost and biofertilizer

The growth of immature Cinchona ledgeriana can be optimized by applying fertilizers to fill the nutritional needs of plants. Nutrients can be provided through the help of microorganisms derived from organic fertilizers and biofertilizers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of applying coffee husk compost and biofertilizer consortium on the growth of immature quinine plants. This research was conducted from November 2023 – January 2024 at Gambung Tea and Cinchona Research Center, Pasir Jambu District, Bandung Regency, West Java. The research used a randomized block design with four replications and six treatments, namely control (Urea 17 g.plant-1 + SP36 8 g.plant-1 + KCl 4 g.plant-1); solid coffee husk compost 3 kg.plant-1; liquid coffee husk compost 80 mL.L-1; biofertilizer 10 mL.L-1; solid coffee husk compost 3 kg.plants-1 + biofertilizer 10 mL.L-1; and liquid coffee husk compost 80 mL.L-1 + biofertilizer 10 mL.L-1. The results showed applying organic fertilizer from coffee husk waste and biofertilizer improved the growth of immature quinine plants. Combination of liquid organic fertilizer from coffee husk waste 80 mL.L-1 water + biofertilizer 10 mL.L-1 water produced a high increase in leaf area. Combination of solid organic fertilizer from coffee husk waste 3 kg. plants-1 + biofertilizer 10 mL.L-1 water showed the highest plant height increment. It implied the success of quinine improvement growth at the immature phase by applying coffee husk waste and biofertilizers.

TeaPoseNet: A deep neural network for tea leaf pose recognition

The estimation of tea leaf pose is an emerging research topic. Recognising the morphological features of tea leaves can help accurately categorise, grade, and determine their level of maturity. Therefore, this study proposes a deep neural network, TeaPoseNet, to estimate tea leaf poses. The algorithm was trained and validated using a dataset of one-bud-one-leaf images of Yinghong No.9 tea leaves and was compared with four other pose estimation networks. At the same time, the contribution of TKS_NMS to the algorithm was validated through ablation experiments. The results indicate that TKS_NMS improved the EPE accuracy of pose recognition by 16.33 %. More specifically, the algorithm achieved a good overall performance, with PCK, AUC, EPE, and NME reaching 0.9800, 0.8147, 9.0955, and 0.0644, respectively. The average running speed for detecting the pose of a single tea leaf image was 40.01 ms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of pose estimation technology to the detection and analysis of Yinghong No.9 tea leaves. The results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively estimate the pose of tea leaves, thus providing a reference for subsequent tea research.

METABOLOMIC TECHNIQUE IN GREEN TEA RESEARCH: A REVIEW

Tea, consumed by two-thirds of the global population, had a production of 5.68 million tons in 2017. The cultivation and processing of tea are crucial variables that have a substantial impact on the final product. As a result, many types of tea, such as black, oolong, and green, are produced, each with its own unique flavors and health advantages. Metabolomic techniques, which employ advanced analytical methods, are employed to characterize chemical composition of tea, thereby enabling the assessment of its quality, origin, and bioactivity. This review focused on the application of these techniques to the green tea research. Analytical methods such as UPLC-MS and 1H NMR, when employed in conjunction with multivariate analysis, have proven effective in correlating green tea quality with its chemical constituents, identifying key metabolites such as EGCG, ECG, and caffeine. These metabolomic techniques permit rapid and accurate assessments, enabling the differentiation between high- and low-quality green tea and enhancing the comprehension of its chemical composition and sensory attributes. In addition, a metabolomic approach was employed, utilizing HPLC-TOF-MS, to differentiate between various types of green tea based on their bioactivities. These methods have the capacity to reveal significant variations in metabolite profiles and bioactivities. The application of multivariate analysis enabled the identification of specific bioactive cultivars, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of the technique in evaluating the health-promoting effects of different tea samples. Thus, metabolomic methods represent an optimal approach for a comprehensive and expeditious investigation of the research related to green tea.

Research and development of Lycium barbarum compound beverage and preliminary verification of its efficacy

AbstractLycium barbarum contains a variety of phytochemicals, primarily polysaccharides, and other potent compounds. L. barbarum is a plant that has several uses in contemporary society, including food processing and everyday eating. However, through traditional processing methods the medicinal or edible value of L. barbarum cannot be fully exploited, to further improve the utilisation rate of L. barbarum and enrich the variety of L. barbarum market. The L. barbarum compound beverage, which uses L. barbarum as its primary ingredient, was created through a series of trials, including the creation of tea beverage recipes and research on the most suitable content of stabilisers, flavouring agent formulations and so on. In addition, several validation tests, including those involving hypoglycaemic and lipid-lowering were conducted. The results indicated that 0.1 g mL−1 stabiliser CMC-Na, 0.2 g mL−1 erythritol, 3 g mL−1 citric acid, 8% L. barbarum juice, and 6% chrysanthemum tea cold brew extract were the best combinations for food additive formulations. Additionally, compound beverages have hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects. In conclusion, the research and development of L. barbarum compound beverages can not only increase the rate at which L. barbarum is utilised but also offer fresh ideas for the research and development of L. barbarum as they transition from cash crop agricultural products to market-oriented standardised processed products.

Climate Smart Tea (Camellia sinensis) Cultivation Practices in Rathnapura District


 Tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivation in Sri Lanka, which plays a key role in the nation's economy, is facing unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of climate change. Climatic changes led to adverse outcomes, including deteriorating soil conditions marked by erosion, hindered tea plant growth, reduced quality, yield and market value of the tea. For many small-scale tea farmers, tea cultivation is their primary source of income. Climate-related challenges make their livelihoods more vulnerable, with poverty, especially extreme rain led to high maintenance costs and some cultivators to abandon tea plucking, hindering maintain efforts due to insufficient facilities and high expenses. Therefore, mitigating climate challenges is important. Objectives of this study is to find out the effects of climate change on tea cultivation, identify awareness levels and explore climate smart mitigation practices employed in Ratnapura District. Primary data was collected using in- depth interviews and field observations. Secondary data was collected from Tea Research Institute (TRI) databases. The region faces challenges from climate change, with high rainfall, occasional temperature fluctuations, droughts, and flood events. Terracing techniques are utilized to create level surfaces, effectively controlling soil erosion by slowing the flow of rainwater down slopes, cover cropping with grasses and legumes being planted between tea rows to shield the soil from the erosive force of raindrops, efficient drainage systems, such as trenches and channels, redirect excess rainwater away from the fields, preventing waterlogging, shade management, through strategic tree planting, and the use of mulch, tea pruning practices, aid in protecting tea bushes from heavy rainfall, planting high rainfall resilience varieties and preserving soil structure. Tea cultivators lack awareness regarding climate-smart practices and have limited knowledge about TRI recommendations. The research findings important to empower local tea farmers with innovative adaptation, thereby enhancing the adaptive capacity of the tea industry.
 
 Keywords: Climate smart, Tea cultivation, Climate changes, High rainfall, Innovative adaptation

Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Tea Growth and Quality and Soil Properties of Tea Orchards' Top Rhizosphere Soil.

Organic-based fertilizers have been ratified to be effective in ameliorating tea growth and the fertility of soil. However, the effect of integrated fertilization on tea growth and quality and the chemical properties of the soil in tea gardens are unclear. To address this, from 2020 to 2021, five different treatments were carried out in the greenhouse of the Tea Research Institute, Hangzhou, CAAS, including CK (control), NPK (chemical fertilizers), RC (rapeseed cake), NPK+B (chemical fertilizer + biochar), and NPK+RC, to investigate the effects of different fertilizations on soil chemistry and tea growth and quality. The results indicated that NPK+B and NPK+RC significantly improved the different amino acid and catechin concentrations in the young shoots, stems, and roots of the tea compared to the CK. The plant growth parameters, e.g., the plant height, no. of leaves, mid-stem girth, and fresh weights of stems and leaves, were significantly increased with integrated fertilization (NPK+B and NPK+RC) compared to the CK and solo organic and inorganic fertilizers. The chlorophyll contents (Chl a, Chl b, and Chl a+b) were generally higher with NPK+RC than with the CK (37%, 35%, and 36%), RC (14%, 26%, and 18%), and NPK (9%, 13%, and 11%) treatments. Integrated fertilization buffered the acidic soil of the tea garden and decreased the soil C:N ratio. NPK+RC also significantly increased the soil's total C (31% and 16%), N (43% and 31%), P (65% and 40%), available P (31% and 58%), K (70% and 25%), nitrate (504% and 188%), and ammonium (267% and 146%) concentrations compared to the CK and RC. The soil macro- (Mg and Ca) and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu) were significantly improved by the RC (100% and 72%) (49%, 161%, 112%, and 40%) and NPK+RC (88% and 48%) (47%, 75%, 45%, and 14%) compared to the CK. The chlorophyll contents and soil macro- and micronutrients were all significantly positively correlated with tea quality (amino acids and catechin contents) and growth. These results indicated that integrated fertilization improved the soil nutrient status, which is associated with the improvement of tea growth and quality. Thus, integrated nutrient management is a feasible tool for improving tea growth, quality, and low nutrient levels in the soil.

Effects of sample storage temperature and duration on the detection of foliar endophytes of tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) in summer and winter.

Seasonal changes in the diversity of tea plant endophytic fungi and the effects of sample storage conditions on detection were analyzed. Tea leaves were collected from the Saitama Tea Research Institute in Japan during winter (January 2020) and summer (August 2020). The effects of storage temperature (5, 10, 20, 25, and 30°C) and durations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days) on endophytic fungal diversity and community structure were investigated. In summer, storage period and temperature did not affect the fungal colonization rate, frequency, and composition. In winter, storage temperature and period significantly affected the endophytic community structure. Fungal diversity was higher in winter than in summer. Positive relationships between diversity index and storage temperature and period were observed in winter, whereas the opposite trend was observed in summer. Our findings provide insight into the ecology of foliar endophytes of tea plants and the importance of proper sample collection and storage for microbiome studies.

Advances in Purple Tea Research: Chemical Compositions, Anthocyanin Synthesis and Regulation, Processing, and Health Benefits

Purple tea, renowned for its anthocyanin content and distinctive purple hue, has gained prominence. The anthocyanin content in purple tea can exceed three times that of traditional green-leaf tea. Purple tea harbors various anthocyanins, implicating intricate pathways of biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation. Concurrently, owing to its distinctive chemical composition, the processing of purple tea may be constrained, potentially influencing the sensory attributes and flavor profile of the tea. The richness of anthocyanins in purple tea has yielded potential health benefits, including antioxidative and anti-cancer properties, rendering purple tea a sought-after commodity in the tea market. However, current research on purple tea remains incomplete, including indistinct networks of anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms, incomplete chemical characterization, and a need for comprehensive investigations into its biological activities. The limited research foundation has greatly reduced the popularity and consumption of purple tea. This paper aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in the biosynthesis and regulation of anthocyanins, as well as the chemical compositions, processing, and health benefits of purple tea. This review will provide the groundwork for future efforts in the selection and innovation of purple tea germplasm, purple tea processing, and the expansion of the market for purple tea consumption.

Integrative Omics: Metabolomics and Transcriptomics in Tea Research

Integrative Omics: Metabolomics and Transcriptomics in Tea Research

Human Health Risk Assessment of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Tea Leaves Harvested from Farm Regions of Gilan Province, Iran

Tea holds a special place in Iranian culture, ranking as the most widely consumed beverage after water. A significant portion of Iran’s domestic tea production (approximately 70%) originates from the lush landscapes of Gilan province. The Iranian Tea Research Center (ITRC) claims that Iranian tea is pesticide-free. However, there is a concern that tea farms in the foothills may be exposed to pesticide spraying from nearby citrus gardens. This study aimed to investigate the presence of the 17 organophosphorus pesticides in tea leaf samples collected from tea plantation areas in Gilan province. Sample preparation was carried out using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method, followed by the determination of pesticide concentrations using the gas chromatography (GC) method. To assess the non-carcinogenic risk associated with the consumption of black tea due to pesticide residues, we followed the guidelines provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results were striking, revealing the presence of pesticide residues in all tested samples, raising concerns about the purity of Iranian tea. Notably, the hazard quotient (HQ) for children (<15 years old) exceeded that for adults (>15 years old). Furthermore, spring-harvested tea samples demonstrated higher HQs compared to their autumn counterparts.

Pengaruh Temperatur Pirolisis Terhadap Karakteristik Biochar dari Limbah Padat Agroindustri Teh

The Gambung Tea and Kina Research Center (PPTK) produces solid waste in the form of twig/branch and tea leaf waste from the pruning process of tea plants, as well as tea fluff waste from tea processing in tea factories with considerable potential. These wastes, if processed efficiently, can be a driver of circular economy activities. The high carbon content in twig, leaf, and tea fluff waste makes the waste potential to be processed into an alternative energy source in the form of fuel through a pyrolysis process. This study aims to select the most potential waste to be processed into fuel and determine the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the characteristics of the biochar produced. The results showed that tea twig and fluff waste has a higher carbon content than tea leaf waste so that it has more potential to be processed into fuel. The quality of tea twig biochar is better than tea fluff biochar because the characteristics of tea twig biochar on average meet the requirements of good biochar according to SNI 1683 2021 compared to tea fluff biochar.

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Population Dynamics of Soil Microorganisms in Tea Rhizosphere at Kericho, Kenya

Aim: The long-term cultivation of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) alters microorganism communities in the rhizosphere; it can increase saprotrophs, pathogenic microorganisms and reduce symbiotrophs. Fertilizers are sources of plant essential nutrients and can influence the activity and population of soil microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the effect of fertilization regimes on the population dynamics of soil microorganisms in the tea rhizosphere for its management.
 Place and Duration: The study was carried out at the Tea Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya during the dry (February-March) and wet season (June-July).
 Methodology: Two main fertilizer types; organic (Phymix) and inorganic (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium- NPK) and foliar fertilizer (Tecamin Max, Tecnokel Amino Mix) as sub treatments application at the rate of 0, 75 and 150 kg N ha-1), were applied in four replications. Sampling of soil was done before treatment application, during the dry season (February-March) and the wet season (June-July). The fungal and bacterial populations for both seasons were characterized. The data collected was analyzed using SAS (version 9) Statistical Software.
 Results: The study showed that the fungal colony units varied significantly (P≤0.05) between the types of fertilizer both during dry and rainy season. The interactions of fertilizer type and rate also varied significantly (P≤0.05) for fungal populations during both seasons. No significant variation was noted for the bacterial population (cfu) for both seasons regardless of fertilizer type and rates. The fungi identified included; Cylindrocarpon spp., Trichoderma spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp. Colletotrichum spp., Pestalotiopsis spp., and Fusarium spp. The bacteria included; Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Rhizobium spp., and Xanthomonas spp.
 Conclusion: Organic fertilizer increased fungal populations significantly, an indication of enhanced soil health and may be recommended for use.

Potential and Characteristic of Biomass Pellet from Tea Plantation Wastes as Renewable Energy Alternative

Tea plantation biomass wastes, such as tea plantation pruning, shade trees, and woody weeds have not been utilized. The waste can be used as renewable energy in the form of wood pellets. The problem is the feasibility of biomass waste to be used as material for making wood pellets as energy. This paper aims to analyze the potential of tea plantation biomass waste as wood pellet material to meet energy needs. The research was conducted in a tea plantation owned by the Tea and Kina Research Center (PPTK). Quantification of biomass waste potential per unit area was conducted in the plantation using direct measurement method. Proximate analysis of each wood pellet variant of biomass waste was conducted to match the quality of Indonesian Wood Pellet Standard. The biomass waste potential in PPTK is 14,281 tons per year which can produce 8,186 tons of wood pellets per year. This potential can meet the needs of wood pellet consumption from the tea production process at PPTK which is around 1.8 tons / day for the tea processing process of 13 tons/day. Based on proximate analysis, the wood pellets produced have a calorific value of 4425 cal/gram, density of 1.35 grams/cm3, fixed carbon content of 85.2%, and volatile matter of 3.72%. These results confirm that the wood pellets comply with the National Wood Pellet Standard (SNI 8021:2014). This can be a model for the application of the Green Circular Economy concept in the plantation sector. Keywords: Biomass pellets; Green circular economy; Renewable energy; Tea plantation waste; Wood pellets

차(茶) 연관 인문·사회과학 연구 동향 분석과 발전 방안

This study examines tea-related humanities and social science research trends through analysis of studies published over the 28-year period from 1995 to 2022 in the Journal of the Korean Tea Society and the Journal of Tea Culture & Industry Studies. The number of tea-related humanities and social science studies published during that 28-year period was 757. This study categorizes them into 22 fields. The most active research fields are tea industry, tea type, and world tea culture, followed by tea spirit, tea ceremony, education, and marketing. Studies with practical impact showed a rapidly increasing trend. Research in the fields of tea living, healing effects, tea space, and tea events showed a rapidly increasing trend over a 10-year period starting in the mid-2000s. Publication of tea-related humanities and social science research showed an annual increase of 20% from 1995 to 2016, and then shifted to a decreasing trend, especially during the years of COVID 19. To expand the influence of tea research, this study proposes ways to strengthen industry-academia collaboration from a selection of tea research topics and the sharing of tea research results.